When the believer walks in the grace of God it leaves the marks of life all around!
Results of Grace
Galatians chapter 6
Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.
Paul ’s letter to the Galatians was defending the gospel of Jesus Christ founded upon grace and truth. As Paul begins to conclude his writing he declares the results of living by grace. Oh that the church would live in the fullness grace. If a believer is overtaken in any trespass restoring should be the natural reaction of the church; however, it has not been so in many churches. This may be one of the weakest links in the church; if the church were to get a report card in this area it would be close to a “F”. Our normal reaction to a brother in a trespass is to gossip and or condemn. Many have left the church in droves in shame and condemnation. God has called us to be in a spirit of restoration. Not just restore, but restore in the spirit of gentleness. A sign post of being in the fullness of grace; when we are able to offer grace to one overtaken in any trespass. When restoration is offered minus the gentleness it is no restoration at all.
Galatians 6:2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
When walking in the fullness of grace we gladly bear one another’s burdens. While we are not under the law of Moses we must never forget we are always fulfilling the law of Christ.
Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.
The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus comes with the element of restoration and bearing our brothers burdens.
2 Corinthians 5:18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God.
God has given us the ministry of reconciliation. The Father is in the business of not imputing sins! Restoring a brother is acting as God’s ambassador; oh that we the church will preach the message of reconciliation.
Romans 4:7 "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, And whose sins are covered; 8 Blessed is the man to whom the LORD shall not impute sin."
The Holy Spirit convicts the unbeliever of sin; however the Holy Spirit convicts the believers of righteousness. Those who have surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus Christ are the men to whom the Lord shall not impute sin. Restore should be our hearts cry for every brother that has fallen.
2 Corinthians 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
It is time to restore our brethren and convince them of the righteousness of God. Jesus Christ did not die in vain; the fullness of His grace needs to be freely preached. Before salvation we were but slaves to sin; post salvation we are but slave to righteousness. How is it we have missed preaching the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus? The best way for a brother to get up from his fall is to awaken to his righteousness found in Christ alone.
Galatians 6:3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5 For each one shall bear his own load.
Paul brings warning of a haughty spirit. Those who think they stand and are beyond failing have their confidence in the wrong place. Our confidence should always be in Christ alone. Adam’s sins made all sinners and Christ obedience is the only thing that brings righteousness to man! Be careful what you put your trust in; those in grace have no confidence in the flesh.
Galatians 6:6 Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.
When a man has been a blessing to you by bringing the truths of God’s grace; share with that one who has taught you.
Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.
In Galatians 5 Paul reminded the believer that when they came to Christ they put to death the sin nature. We are no longer in debt to sow to the flesh. We are no longer debtors to the law of Moses or to the traditions of men. We can let that harvest die, dry up, and drop off the vine. However, if we will sow to the Spirit we will reap from the Spirit. If we go on sowing to the flesh by trusting in our own performance it will produce corruption. There are some believers who have never got out of the sandbox of their Christianity. They are sin conscious and have not learned to walk in the purged conscious that Christ blood provides. They are believing for their victory when they get to the other side and have never known the abundant life Christ provided. Jesus invites us to come enter His rest!
Galatians 6:9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith
Those in grace have a tenacious spirit of never giving up. Keep on believing and meditating on the promises of God knowing the sure word of God has promised a harvest to those who continue to sow in the Spirit.
Galatians 6:11 See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand! 12 As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. 13 For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.
Who is it that is sowing to the flesh? Those trying to bring the body of Christ under the law or traditions of men. Those who preach conformity to their own traditions or bring you under the covenant of the law do it for their own boasting and gain. However it has no profit for victory in Jesus. It is only for their own boast. We don’t want to be conformed; we want to be transformed by the one who made us sons.
Galatians 6:14 But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
There should be but one boast for the believer; our boast should be found in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ! Those making their boast in the performance of the law only give sin strength in the believer’s life.
1 Corinthians 15:56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Our victory is found exclusively in Jesus Christ and there is no other source of victory!
Galatians 6:15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation. 16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.
2 Corinthians 5:16 Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
We have become newly created beings. Yes we are new creations, which according to God, we have been made in true righteousness and holiness. May we be bold enough to believe we are who and what God says we are. Peace and mercy is upon all them who walk in this truth.
Galatians 6:17 From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. 18 Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
My prayer is but an echo of Paul ’s prayer. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. AMEN
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